Stephens 3 Meridian WWT - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Stephens County, Oklahoma

Stephens 3 Meridian WWT is a wastewater treatment facility located in Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. The plant serves a small population of 60 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small community setting. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 30.28 units and a current discharge volume of 26.50 units, the facility operates below its maximum capacity, indicating room for growth or seasonal variability. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river within the Red River basin, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's inland location, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact. Its operation supports local water quality and protects downstream ecosystems, including aquatic habitats in the region.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Red River basin, which flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and municipal uses. The secondary treatment process helps reduce nutrient and organic pollutant loads, protecting downstream water quality and minimizing eutrophication risks in receiving waters.